The purpose of this present study was to assess the feasibility and determine the potential short-term efficacy of implementing a specific 9-week “Yoga for Rowers” (ROWGA) program on male varsity rowers during a competitive training season. Sixteen competitive male varsity rowers (20.6 ± 2.1 years) were recruited to participate, using a single group, pre-test-post-test, quasi-experimental research design. All participants performed two 60 min ROWGA sessions per week for 9 weeks during their fall competitive season. The primary objectives were to test the efficacy of a ROWGA program in a real-world context by evaluating: 1) the feasibility of implementing the program during the training and competitive season as measured by program adherence; 2) its potential effect on strength by evaluating hip muscle strength acting in the sagittal, frontal, and transverse planes as well as on hip muscle strength ratios between the agonist versus antagonist muscle groups; and 3) its potential effect on hip flexion range of motion (ROM). Two pre-test baseline measurements were performed on all participants over 1- week prior to initiating the ROWGA sessions while a single post-test was conducted following the ROWGA intervention. Intraclass correlation coefficients for ROM and strength were used to determine reliability of measurements by taking the two pre-intervention test scores. Outcome measures included hip flexion range of motion, peak isometric hip muscle forces normalized to body weight, including hip flexors, extensors, abductors, adductors, both internal and external rotators as well as peak isometric agonist-antagonist hip muscle strength ratios. Pre and post peak isometric hip strength measurements were calculated for agonist-antagonist muscle groups within each plane by dividing flexors by extensors, adductors by abductors, and internal by external rotators. Feasibility of the ROWGA program was determined from program attendance and adherence rates. The adherence rate was considered high with 89% attending all sessions, after adjusting for compulsory competitions. Significant improvements in peak isometric strength were demonstrated for hip flexors, extensors, abductors, and adductors, and external rotators, while a significant reduction for hip flexion ROM was observed. No significant changes in isometric hip muscle strength agonist-antagonist ratios were demonstrated. The results from this research support the feasibility of the ROWGA program in terms of rower’s acceptance, adherence, and the ability to accommodate the time requirements within their schedule as well as potential strength benefits gained. This research could help provide a platform for future large-scale research related to injury prevention in rowing. / Graduate / 2021-04-06

Title: The influence of foam rolling on range of motion, strength of the knee extensors and flexors and H/Q ratio. Objectives: The aim of the diploma thesis was to determine the effect of the foam roller on the range of motion and strength of the extensors and flexors of the knee joint. The muscular strength of the knee extensors and flexors was determined using a Humac norm isokinetic dynamometer. Another goal was to determine the effect of the foam roller on the force ratio of extensors and flexors (H / Q) which is an important detail for the prevention of lower limb injuries Methods: This is an experimental study. The measured research group (n = 12) consisted of the students of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport at the Charles University. A Black roll foam roller of medium hardness with a non-serrated surface was used. The range of motion of the knee flexors were measured using the sit and reach test and the knee extension test. The range of motion of the knee extensors were measured using a modified Thomas test and Ely's test. The isokinetic strength of the extensors and flexors muscles of the knee joint and the H/Q ratio were measured using a Humac Norm isokinetic dynamometer. Results: Measurements showed that the foam roller affected the range of motion of the flexors and extensors...

Stretching som uppvärmningsrutin inför idrottsaktiviteter anses ha både skadeförebyggande och prestationshöjande effekter. Studier antyder att statisk stretching kan ha negativ inverkan på prestationen, särskilt explosiva aktiviteter som hopp och sprintlöpning. Syftet med studien var att undersöka effekten av statisk stretching (SS) respektive dynamisk (DR) rörlighets-uppvärmningsprotokoll på prestationen vid sprintlöpning över 200 meter samt inverkan av muskellängd/rörelseomfång på eventuella effekter. Elva träningsvana löpare, 20-35 år, sju män och fyra kvinnor genomförde vid två tillfällen maximal 200-meterslöpning. Löpningarna föregicks vid ena tillfället av SS och det andra av DR i en randomiserad ordning. Tiden mättes med ett portabelt fotocellsystem. Deltagarna utgjorde sina egna kontroller och skillnaden i löptid mellan SS och DR analyserades parvis (Wilcoxon signed rank test). Korrelation mellan löptid och deltagarnas ROM i nedre extremiteten, mätt med goniometer analyserades (Kendall’s Tau B). Tendens till snabbare löptider visades efter DR (1,01%, p=0,077) jämfört med SS. Skillnader, dock ej signifikanta var störst första 100 meter (2,78%) och omvänt avslutande 100 meter(-0,40%). Ett samband antyddes mellan hur snabba löparna var och effekten av SS-DR (Tau B=0,382), där resultaten för männen, som generellt var snabbare visade signifikant samband (Tau B=0,905, p=0,003). Inga samband återfanns mellan ROM/muskellängd och prestation. Signifikant samband sågs dock mellan duration vid stretching och löptid (Tau B=0,48-0,56, p=0,021-0,042). Studien fann i linje med tidigare forskning tendenser till snabbare löptider vid DR jämfört med SS. Eventuella effekter av stretching kan vara små men av betydelse för snabba löpare på distanser upp till 200 meter. Fortsatt forskning på området bör inkludera homogena grupper där slumpmässiga effekter på prestationen minimeras. Utifrån resultaten föreslås att DR inkluderas i uppvärmningen framför SS.

Title: Ranges of joint mobility in the hip and ankle joints and evaluation of flat feet on a podoscope when finding hallux valgus in classical ballet dancers Objectives: The aim of this thesis is to evaluate if selected parameters: passive range of motion (ROM) of rotations in hip joints, Q angle, passive range of motion of plantar flexion in ankle joints and the foot index are connected with the finding of hallux valgus (HV) diagnose. These factors will be compared between two groups of ballet dancers, one with HV and one without the HV diagnose. Methods: This observational case control study involved 30 probands between the age of 20-40 years. The experimental group consisted of classical ballet dances with the HV angle (HVA) >15ř at least on one foot (n1 = 19), in the control group were classical ballet dancers with the HVA <15ř bilaterally (n2 = 11). The HVA, ROM of the rotations in the hip joints, ROM of the plantar flexion in the ankle joints and Q angle were measured by a goniometer. The plantogram was captured by a photograph of the foot while standing on a podoscope and then it was evaluated by the Sztriter-Godunov method. Analysis of the data was done in R software by means of a Welch's Two-Sample t-Test and the correlation was given by Pearson's Correlation Coefficient. Results: Contrary...

Världen blir alltmer digital och att handla kläder via internet är idag en självklarhet för många. Undersökningen syftar till att utforska hur företag kommunicerar passform till konsument, oavsett om de bedriver online försäljning eller enbart använder sina hemsidor för att exponera sitt sortiment. Denna studie kommer undersöka vilka verktyg som är vanligt förekommande, hur de kan kombineras och vad de förmedlar till konsument. En litteraturöversikt ligger till grund för studien och i nästa steg har en kvantitativ urvalsundersökning tagit plats där 45st företag som tillhandahåller överdelsplagg för dam/herr undersökts. I sista steget har en teoretisk kartläggning där verktygen jämförts mot faktorer som påverkar passform har utförts för att klargöra vad varje verktyg kommunicerar. Forskningen som studien bygger på förtydligar problematiken kring passformskommunikation då detta kan anses vara ett subjektivt ämne där fysiska och mentala värderingar påverkar hur konsumenten upplever passform. Resultatet visar att de flesta företag använder sig av kroppsmåttlista i kombination med bildillustrationer för att förtydliga plaggets passform. Den teoretiska kartläggningens resultat visar att visuella och virtuella verktyg ger konsumenten en bättre indikation på plaggets passform. / The world is becoming increasingly digital and shopping for clothes via the internet is a matter of course for many today. The survey aims to explore how companies communicate fit to the consumer, whether they conduct online sales or only use their websites to expose their range. This study will examine which tools are commonly used, how they can be combined and what they convey to the consumer. A literature review is the basis for the study and in the next step, a quantitative sample survey has taken place where 45 companies that provide tops for women / men have been examined. In the last step, a theoretical survey where the tools have been compared against factors that affect fit has been performed to clarify what each tool communicates. The research on which the study is based clarifies the problem of fit communication as this can be considered a subjective subject where physical and mental values affect how the consumer experiences fit. The results show that most companies use body measurements in combination with image illustrations to clarify the garment's fit. The results of the theoretical survey show that visual and virtual tools give the consumer a better indication of the garment's fit.

No description available.

Biomechanical testing of cadaveric spinal segments forms the basis for our current understanding of healthy, pathological, and surgically treated spinal function. Over the past 40 years there has been a substantial amount of data published based on a spinal biomechanical testing regimen known as the flexibility method. This data has provided valuable clinical insights that have shaped our understanding of low back pain and its treatments. Virtually all previous lumbar spinal flexibility testing has been performed at room temperature, under very low motion rates, without the presence of a compressive follower-load to simulate upper body weight and the action of the musculature. These limitations of previous work hamper the applicability of published spinal biomechanics data, especially as researchers investigate novel ways of treating low back pain that are intended to restore the spine to a healthy biomechanical state. Thus, the purpose of this thesis work was to accurately characterize the rate-dependent flexibility of the lumbar spine at body temperature while in the presence of a compressive follower-load. A custom spine simulator with an integrated environmental chamber was developed and built as part of this thesis work. Cadaveric spinal motion segments were tested at 12 different rates of loading spanning the range of voluntary motion rates. The testing methodology allowed for comparison of spinal flexibility at room and body temperatures in the three primary modes of spinal motion, both with and without a compressive follower-load. Additionally, the work developed a stochastic model for rate-dependent spinal flexibility that allows for accurate prediction of spinal flexibility at any rate within the range of voluntary motion, based on a single flexibility test. In conclusion, the biomechanical response was significantly altered due to testing temperature, loading-rate, and application of a compressive follower-load. The author emphasizes the necessity to simulate the physiological environment during ex vivo biomechanical analysis of the lumbar spine in order to obtain a physiological response. Simplified testing procedures may be implemented only after the particular effect is known.

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is the primary cause of chronic immobility in populations over the age of 65. It is a joint degenerative disease in which the articular cartilage in the knee joint wears down over time, leading to symptoms of pain, instability, joint stiffness, and misalignment of the lower extremities. Without intervention, these symptoms gradually worsen over time, decreasing the overall knee range of motion (ROM) and ability to walk. Current clinical interventions include offloading braces, which mechanically realign the lower extremities to alleviate the pain experienced in the medial compartment of the knee joint. Though these braces have proven effective in pain management, studies have shown a significant decrease in knee ROM while using the brace. Concurrently, development of active exoskeletons for rehabilitative gait has increased within recent years in efforts to provide patients with a more effective intervention for dealing with KOA. Though some developed exoskeletons are promising in their efficacy of fostering gait therapy, these devices are heavy, tethered, difficult to control, unavailable to patients, or costly due to the number of complicated components used to manufacture the device. However, the idea that an active component can improve gait therapy for patients motivates this study. This study proposes the design of an adjustable lower extremity exoskeleton which features a single linear actuator adapted onto a commercially available offloading brace. This design hopes to provide patients with pain alleviation from the brace, while also actively driving the knee through flexion and extension. The design and execution of this exoskeleton was accomplished by 3D computer simulation, 3D CAD modeling, and rapid prototyping techniques. The exoskeleton features 3D printed, ABS plastic struts and supports to achieve successful adaptation of the linear actuator to the brace and an electromechanical system with a rechargeable operating capacity of 7 hours. Design validation was completed by running preliminary gait trials of neutral gait (without brace or exoskeleton), offloading brace, and exoskeleton to observe changes between the different gait scenarios. Results from this testing on a single subject show that there was an observed, significant decrease in average knee ROM in the offloading brace trials from the neutral trials and an observed, significant increase in average knee ROM in the exoskeleton trials when compared to the brace trials as hypothesized. Further evaluation must be completed on the clinical efficacy of this device with a larger, and clinically relevant sample size to assess knee ROM, pain while using the device, and overall comfort level. Further development of this design could focus on material assessment, cost analysis, and risk mitigation through failure mode analysis.

Critically ill patients can be prescribed bed rest as a therapeutic intervention. Immobility from bed rest can cause neuromuscular deconditioning and weakness. Preventing immobility by implementing mobilization activities may prevent these complications from occurring. Currently, mobility protocols are lacking. The purpose of this literature review is to analyze the evidence related to mobilizing patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). In the future, a standard mobility protocol should be instituted for critically ill patients indicating when and how to begin mobilization. The efficacy of mobility protocols relies on an interdisciplinary team for positive outcomes to prevent complications of inactivity and promote patient safety. Future implementation of mobilization can decrease patients' lengths of stay and extensive rehabilitation from inactivity. Nursing education, practice and research should focus on interventions to prevent complications of immobility by identifying mobilization techniques, safety approaches and the use of protocols.

No description available.